New compounds as nik inhibitors

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical agents useful for therapy and/or prophylaxis in a mammal, and in particular to inhibitors of NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK—also known as MAP3K14) useful for treating diseases such as cancer, inflammatory disorders, metabolic disorders and autoimmune disorders. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, to processes to prepare such compounds and compositions, and to the use of such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention or treatment of diseases such as cancer, inflammatory disorders, metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical agents useful for therapy and/or prophylaxis in a mammal, and in particular to inhibitors of NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK—also known as MAP3K14) useful for treating diseases such as cancer, inflammatory disorders, metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, to processes to prepare such compounds and compositions, and to the use of such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions for the prevention or treatment of diseases such as cancer, inflammatory disorders, metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes, and autoimmune disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical agents useful for therapy and/or prophylaxis in a mammal, and in particular to inhibitors of NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK—also known as MAP3K14) useful for treating diseases such as cancer and inflammatory disorders. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) is a transcription factor regulating the expression of various genes involved in the immune response, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis. NF-κB dependent transcriptional activation is a tightly controlled signaling pathway, through sequential events including phosphorylation and protein degradation. NIK is a serine/threonine kinase which regulates NF-κB pathway activation. There are two NF-κB signaling pathways, the canonical and the non-canonical. NIK has a role in both but has been shown to be indispensable for the non-canonical signaling pathway where it phosphorylates IKKα, leading to the partial proteolysis of p100; liberating p52 which then heterodimerizes with RelB, translocates to the nucleus and mediates gene expression. The non-canonical pathway is activated by only a handful of ligands such as CD40 ligands, B-cell activating factor (BAFF), lymphotoxin 3 receptor ligands and TNF-related weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and NIK has been shown to be required for activation of the pathway by these ligands. Because of its key role, NIK expression is tightly regulated. Under normal non-stimulated conditions NIK protein levels are very low, this is due to its interaction with a range of TNF receptor associated factors (TRAF), which are ubiquitin ligases and result in degradation of NIK. It is believed that when the non-canonical pathway is stimulated by ligands, the activated receptors now compete for TRAFs, dissociating the TRAF-NIK complexes and thereby increasing the levels of NIK. (Thu and Richmond, Cytokine Growth F. R. 2010, 21, 213-226)

Research has shown that blocking the NF-κB signaling pathway in cancer cells can cause cells to stop proliferating, to die and to become more sensitive to the action of other anti-cancer therapies. A role for NIK has been shown in the pathogenesis of both hematological malignancies and solid tumours.

The NF-κB pathway is dysregulated in multiple myeloma due to a range of diverse genetic abnormalities that lead to the engagement of the canonical and non-canonical pathways (Annuziata et al. Cancer Cell 2007, 12, 115-130; Keats et al. ibid 2007, 12, 131-144; Demchenko et al. Blood 2010, 115, 3541-3552). Myeloma patient samples frequently have increased levels of NIK activity. This can be due to chromosomal amplification, translocations (that result in NIK proteins that have lost TRAF binding domains), mutations (in the TRAF binding domain of NIK) or TRAF loss of function mutations. Researchers have shown that myeloma cell lines can be dependent on NIK for proliferation; in these cell lines if NIK activity is reduced by either shRNA or compound inhibition, this leads to a failure in NF-κB signaling and the induction of cell death (Annuziata 2007).

In a similar manner, mutations in TRAF and increased levels of NIK have also been seen in samples from Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) patients. Once again proliferation of cell lines derived from HL patients is susceptible to inhibition of NIK function by both shRNA and compounds (Ranuncolo et al. Blood First Edition Paper, 2012, DOI 10.1182/blood-2012-01-405951).

NIK levels are also enhanced in adult T cell leukemia (ATL) cells and targeting NIK with shRNA reduced ATL growth in vivo (Saitoh et al. Blood 2008, 111, 5118-5129). It has been demonstrated that the API2-MALT1 fusion oncoprotein created by the recurrent translocation t(11;18)(q21;q21) in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma induces proteolytic cleavage of NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) at arginine 325. NIK cleavage generates a C-terminal NIK fragment that retains kinase activity and is resistant to proteasomal degradation (due to loss of TRAF binding region). The presence of this truncated NIK leads to constitutive non-canonical NF-κB signaling, enhanced B cell adhesion, and apoptosis resistance. Thus NIK inhibitors could represent a new treatment approach for refractory t(11; 18)-positive MALT lymphoma (Rosebeck et al. Science 2011, 331, 468-472).

NIK aberrantly accumulates in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cells due to constitutive activation of B-cell activation factor (BAFF) through interaction with autochthonous B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) ligand. NIK accumulation in human DLBCL cell lines and patient tumor samples suggested that constitutive NIK kinase activation is likely to be a key signaling mechanism involved in abnormal lymphoma tumor cell proliferation. Growth assays showed that using shRNA to inhibit NIK kinase protein expression in GCB- and ABC-like DLBCL cells decreased lymphoma cell growth in vitro, implicating NIK-induced NF-κB pathway activation as having a significant role in DLBCL proliferation (Pham et al. Blood 2011, 117, 200-210).

As mentioned a role of NIK in tumour cell proliferation is not restricted to hematological cells, there are reports that NIK protein levels are stabilised in some pancreatic cancer cell lines and as seen in blood cells proliferation of these pancreatic cancer lines are susceptible to NIK siRNA treatment (Nishina et al. Biochem. Bioph. Res. Co. 2009, 388, 96-101). Constitutive activation of NF-κB, is preferentially involved in the proliferation of basal-like subtype breast cancer cell lines, including elevated NIK protein levels in specific lines (Yamamoto et al. Cancer Sci. 2010. 101, 2391-2397). In melanoma tumours, tissue microarray analysis of NIK expression revealed that there was a statistically significant elevation in NIK expression when compared with benign tissue. Moreover, shRNA techniques were used to knock-down NIK, the resultant NIK-depleted melanoma cell lines exhibited decreased proliferation, increased apoptosis, delayed cell cycle progression and reduced tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model (Thu et al. Oncogene 2011, 1-13). A wealth of evidence showed that NF-κB is often constitutively activated in non-small cell lung cancer tissue specimens and cell lines. Depletion of NIK by RNAi induced apoptosis and affected efficiency of anchorage-independent NSCLC cell growth.

In addition research has shown that NF-κB controls the expression of many genes involved in inflammation and that NF-κB signalling is found to be chronically active in many inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, sepsis and others. Thus pharmaceutical agents capable of inhibiting NIK and thereby reducing NF-κB signaling pathway can have a therapeutic benefit for the treatment of diseases and disorders for which over-activation of NF-κB signaling is observed.

Dysregulated NF-κB activity is associated with colonic inflammation and cancer, and it has been shown that Nlrp12 deficient mice were highly susceptible to colitis and colitis-associated colon cancer. In this context work showed that NLRP12 functions as a negative regulator of the NF-κB pathway through its interaction and regulation of NIK and TRAF3, and as a checkpoint of critical pathways associated with inflammation and inflammation-associated tumorigenesis (Allen et al. Immunity 2012, 36, 742-754).

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, is secreted in response to inflammatory stimuli in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. In a series of experiments in colonic epithelial cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts, TNF-α mediates both apoptosis and inflammation, stimulating an inflammatory cascade through the non-canonical pathway of NF-κB activation, leading to increased nuclear RelB and p52. TNF-α induced the ubiquitination of TRAFs, which interacts with NIK, leading to increased levels of phospho-NIK (Bhattacharyya et al. J Biol. Chem. 2011, 285, 39511-39522).

Inflammatory responses are a key component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as such it has been shown that NIK plays a key role in exacerbating the disease following infection with the Gram-negative bacterium nontypeable Hemophilus influenza (Shuto et al. PNAS 2001, 98, 8774-8779). Likewise cigarette smoke (CS) contains numerous reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, reactive aldehydes, and quinones, which are considered to be some of the most important causes of the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory lung diseases, such as COPD and lung cancer. Increased levels of NIK and p-IKKα have been observed in peripheral lungs of smokers and patients with COPD. In addition it has been shown that endogenous NIK is recruited to promoter sites of pro-inflammatory genes to induce post-translational modification of histones, thereby modifying gene expression profiles, in response to CS or TNFα (Chung et al. PLoS ONE 2011, 6(8): e23488. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0023488). A shRNA screen was used in an in vitro model of oxidative stress induced cell death (as a model of COPD) to interrogate a human druggable genome siRNA library in order to identify genes that modulate the cellular response to stress. NIK was one of the genes identified in this screen as a potential new therapeutic target to modulate epithelial apoptosis in chronic lung diseases (Wixted et al. Toxicol. In Vitro 2010, 24, 310-318).

Diabetic individuals can be troubled by a range of additional manifestations associated with inflammation. One such complication is cardiovascular disease and it has been shown that there are elevated levels of p-NIK, p-IKK-α/β and p-IκB-α in diabetic aortic tissues (Bitar et al. Life Sci. 2010, 86, 844-853). In a similar manner, NIK has been shown to regulate proinflammatory responses of renal proximal tubular epithelial cells via mechanisms involving TRAF3. This suggests a role for NF-κB noncanonical pathway activation in modulating diabetes-induced inflammation in renal tubular epithelium (Zhao et al. Exp. Diabetes Res. 2011, 1-9). The same group has shown that NIK plays a critical role in noncanonical NF-κB pathway activation, induced skeletal muscle insulin resistance in vitro, suggesting that NIK could be an important therapeutic target for the treatment of insulin resistance associated with inflammation in obesity and type 2 diabetes (Choudhary et al. Endocrinology 2011, 152, 3622-3627).

NF-κB is an important component of both autoimmunity and bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Mice lacking functional NIK have no peripheral lymph nodes, defective B and T cells, and impaired receptor activator of NF-κB ligand-stimulated osteoclastogenesis. Aya et al. (J. Clin. Invest. 2005, 115, 1848-1854) investigated the role of NIK in murine models of inflammatory arthritis using Nik−/− mice. The serum transfer arthritis model was initiated by preformed antibodies and required only intact neutrophil and complement systems in recipients. While Nik−/− mice had inflammation equivalent to that of Nik+/+ controls, they showed significantly less periarticular osteoclastogenesis and less bone erosion. In contrast, Nik−/− mice were completely resistant to antigen-induced arthritis (AIA), which requires intact antigen presentation and lymphocyte function but not lymph nodes. Additionally, transfer of Nik+/+ splenocytes or T cells to Rag2−/− mice conferred susceptibility to AIA, while transfer of Nik−/− cells did not. Nik−/− mice were also resistant to a genetic, spontaneous form of arthritis, generated in mice expressing both the KRN T cell receptor and H-2g7. The same group used transgenic mice with OC-lineage expression of NIK lacking its TRAF3 binding domain (NT3), to demonstrate that constitutive activation of NIK drives enhanced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, both in basal conditions and in response to inflammatory stimuli (Yang et al. PLoS One 2010, 5, 1-9, e15383). Thus this group concluded that NIK is important in the immune and bone-destructive components of inflammatory arthritis and represents a possible therapeutic target for these diseases.

It has also been hypothesized that manipulating levels of NIK in T cells may have therapeutic value. Decreasing NIK activity in T cells might significantly ameliorate autoimmune and alloresponses, like GVHD (Graft Versus Host Disease) and transplant rejection, without crippling the immune system as severely as do inhibitors of canonical NF-κB activation.

WO2010/042337 describes novel 6-azaindole aminopyrimidine derivatives having NIK inhibitory activity.

WO2009/158011 describes alkynyl alcohols as kinase inhibitors.

WO2012/123522 describes 6,5-heterocyclic propargylic alcohol compounds and uses therefor.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns novel compounds of Group A:

and tautomers and stereoisomeric forms thereof,

and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and the solvates thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term “subject” as used herein, refers to an animal, preferably a mammal (e.g. cat, dog, primate or human), more preferably a human, who is or has been the object of treatment, observation or experiment.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” as used herein, means that amount of active compound or pharmaceutical agent that elicits the biological or medicinal response in a tissue system, animal or human that is being sought by a researcher, veterinarian, medicinal doctor or other clinician, which includes alleviation or reversal of the symptoms of the disease or disorder being treated.

The term “composition” is intended to encompass a product comprising the specified ingredients in the specified amounts, as well as any product which results, directly or indirectly, from combinations of the specified ingredients in the specified amounts.

The term “treatment”, as used herein, is intended to refer to all processes wherein there may be a slowing, interrupting, arresting or stopping of the progression of a disease, but does not necessarily indicate a total elimination of all symptoms.

As used herein, any chemical formula with bonds shown only as solid lines and not as solid wedged or hashed wedged bonds, or otherwise indicated as having a particular configuration (e.g. R, S) around one or more atoms, contemplates each possible stereoisomer, or mixture of two or more stereoisomers.

Hereinbefore and hereinafter, the term “compound(s) of Group A” is meant to include the tautomers thereof and the stereoisomeric forms thereof, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and the solvates thereof.

With the term “compound(s) of the (present) invention” or “compound(s) according to the (present) invention”, the “compound(s) of Group A” are intended.

The terms “stereoisomers”, “stereoisomeric forms” or “stereochemically isomeric forms” hereinbefore or hereinafter are used interchangeably.

The invention includes all stereoisomers of the compounds of the invention either as a pure stereoisomer or as a mixture of two or more stereoisomers.

Enantiomers are stereoisomers that are non-superimposable mirror images of each other. A 1:1 mixture of a pair of enantiomers is a racemate or racemic mixture.

Atropisomers (or atropoisomers) are stereoisomers which have a particular spatial configuration, resulting from a restricted rotation about a single bond, due to large steric hindrance. All atropisomeric forms of the compounds of Group A are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Diastereomers (or diastereoisomers) are stereoisomers that are not enantiomers, i.e. they are not related as mirror images. If a compound contains a double bond, the substituents may be in the E or the Z configuration.

Substituents on bivalent cyclic (partially) saturated radicals may have either the cis- or trans-configuration; for example if a compound contains a disubstituted cycloalkyl group, the substituents may be in the cis or trans configuration.

Therefore, the invention includes enantiomers, atropisomers, diastereomers, racemates, E isomers, Z isomers, cis isomers, trans isomers and mixtures thereof, whenever chemically possible.

The meaning of all those terms, i.e. enantiomers, atropisomers, diastereomers, racemates, E isomers, Z isomers, cis isomers, trans isomers and mixtures thereof are known to the skilled person.

The absolute configuration is specified according to the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog system. The configuration at an asymmetric atom is specified by either R or S. Resolved stereoisomers whose absolute configuration is not known can be designated by (+) or (−) depending on the direction in which they rotate plane polarized light. For instance, resolved enantiomers whose absolute configuration is not known can be designated by (+) or (−) depending on the direction in which they rotate plane polarized light.

When a specific stereoisomer is identified, this means that said stereoisomer is substantially free, i.e. associated with less than 50%, preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 10%, even more preferably less than 5%, in particular less than 2% and most preferably less than 1%, of the other stereoisomers. Thus, when a compound of Group A is for instance specified as (R), this means that the compound is substantially free of the (S) isomer.

Some of the compounds according to Group A may also exist in their tautomeric form.

Such forms in so far as they may exist, although not explicitly indicated, are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. It follows that a single compound may exist in both stereoisomeric and tautomeric form.

For use in medicine, the salts of the compounds of this invention refer to non-toxic “pharmaceutically acceptable salts”. Other salts may, however, be useful in the preparation of compounds according to this invention or of their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds include acid addition salts which may, for example, be formed by mixing a solution of the compound with a solution of a pharmaceutically acceptable acid such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, carbonic acid or phosphoric acid.

Conversely, said salt forms can be converted into the free base form by treatment with an appropriate base.

Furthermore, where the compounds of the invention carry an acidic moiety, suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof may include alkali metal salts, e.g., sodium or potassium salts; alkaline earth metal salts, e.g., calcium or magnesium salts; and salts formed with suitable organic ligands, e.g., quaternary ammonium salts.

Representative acids which may be used in the preparation of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, the following: acetic acid, 2,2-dichloroacetic acid, acylated amino acids, adipic acid, alginic acid, ascorbic acid, L-aspartic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, benzoic acid, 4-acetamidobenzoic acid, (+)-camphoric acid, camphorsulfonic acid, capric acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, cinnamic acid, citric acid, cyclamic acid, ethane-1,2-disulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonic acid, formic acid, fumaric acid, galactaric acid, gentisic acid, glucoheptonic acid, D-gluconic acid, D-glucoronic acid, L-glutamic acid, beta-oxo-glutaric acid, glycolic acid, hippuric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydrochloric acid, (+)-L-lactic acid, (+)-DL-lactic acid, lactobionic acid, maleic acid, (−)-L-malic acid, malonic acid, (+)-DL-mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, naphthalene-2-sulfonic acid, naphthalene-1,5-disulfonic acid, 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, nicotinic acid, nitric acid, oleic acid, orotic acid, oxalic acid, palmitic acid, pamoic acid, phosphoric acid, L-pyroglutamic acid, salicylic acid, 4-amino-salicylic acid, sebacic acid, stearic acid, succinic acid, sulfuric acid, tannic acid, (+)-L-tartaric acid, thiocyanic acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, trifluoromethylsulfonic acid, and undecylenic acid.

Representative bases which may be used in the preparation of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, but are not limited to, the following: ammonia, L-arginine, benethamine, benzathine, calcium hydroxide, choline, dimethylethanolamine, diethanolamine, diethylamine, 2-(diethylamino)-ethanol, ethanolamine, ethylene-diamine, N-methyl-glucamine, hydrabamine, 1H-imidazole, L-lysine, magnesium hydroxide, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-morpholine, piperazine, potassium hydroxide, 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-pyrrolidine, secondary amine, sodium hydroxide, triethanolamine, tromethamine and zinc hydroxide.

Conversely, said salt forms can be converted into the free acid forms by treatment with an appropriate acid.

The term solvate comprises the solvent addition forms as well as the salts thereof, which the compounds of Group A are able to form. Examples of such solvent addition forms are e.g. hydrates, alcoholates and the like.

In the framework of this application, an element, in particular when mentioned in relation to a compound of Group A, comprises all isotopes and isotopic mixtures of this element, either naturally occurring or synthetically produced, either with natural abundance or in an isotopically enriched form. Radiolabelled compounds of Group A may comprise a radioactive isotope selected from the group of ²H (D), ³H, ¹¹C, ¹⁸F, ¹²²I, ¹²³I, ¹²⁵I, ¹³¹I, ⁷⁵Br, ⁷⁶Br, ⁷⁷Br and ⁸²Br. Preferably, the radioactive isotope is selected from the group of ²H, ³H, ¹¹C and ¹⁸F. More preferably, the radioactive isotope is ²H. In particular, deuterated compounds are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

In an embodiment the present invention relates to compounds 1 to 33, tautomers and stereoisomeric forms thereof, and the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts, and the solvates thereof.

In an embodiment the present invention relates to compounds 1 to 33.

Pharmacology

It has been found that the compounds of the present invention inhibit NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK—also known as MAP3K14). The compounds according to the invention and the pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds may be useful for treating or preventing diseases such as cancer, inflammatory disorders, metabolic disorders including obesity and diabetes, and autoimmune disorders. In particular, the compounds according to the present invention and the pharmaceutical compositions thereof may be useful in the treatment of a haematological malignancy or solid tumour. In a specific embodiment said haematological malignancy is selected from the group consisting of multiple myeloma, Hodgkin lymphoma, T-cell leukaemia, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma, in a particular embodiment mantle cell lymphoma. In another specific embodiment of the present invention, the solid tumour is selected from the group consisting of pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer.

Examples of cancers which may be treated (or inhibited) include, but are not limited to, a carcinoma, for example a carcinoma of the bladder, breast, colon (e.g. colorectal carcinomas such as colon adenocarcinoma and colon adenoma), kidney, urothelial, uterus, epidermis, liver, lung (for example adenocarcinoma, small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung carcinomas, squamous lung cancer), oesophagus, head and neck, gall bladder, ovary, pancreas (e.g. exocrine pancreatic carcinoma), stomach, gastrointestinal (also known as gastric) cancer (e.g. gastrointestinal stromal tumours), cervix, endometrium, thyroid, prostate, or skin (for example squamous cell carcinoma or dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans); pituitary cancer, a hematopoietic tumour of lymphoid lineage, for example leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, B-cell lymphoma (e.g. diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, mantle cell lymphoma), T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, hairy cell lymphoma, or Burkett's lymphoma; a hematopoietic tumour of myeloid lineage, for example leukemias, acute and chronic myelogenous leukemias, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), myeloproliferative disorder, myeloproliferative syndrome, myelodysplastic syndrome, or promyelocytic leukemia; multiple myeloma; thyroid follicular cancer; hepatocellular cancer, a tumour of mesenchymal origin (e.g. Ewing's sarcoma), for example fibrosarcoma or rhabdomyosarcoma; a tumour of the central or peripheral nervous system, for example astrocytoma, neuroblastoma, glioma (such as glioblastoma multiforme) or schwannoma; melanoma; seminoma; teratocarcinoma; osteosarcoma; xeroderma pigmentosum; keratoctanthoma; thyroid follicular cancer; or Kaposi's sarcoma.

Hence, the invention relates to compounds of Group A for use as a medicament.

The invention also relates to the use of a compound of Group A or a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention for the manufacture of a medicament.

The present invention also relates to a compound of Group A or a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention for use in the treatment, prevention, amelioration, control or reduction of the risk of disorders associated with NF-κB-inducing kinase dysfunction in a mammal, including a human, the treatment or prevention of which is affected or facilitated by inhibition of NF-κB-inducing kinase.

Also, the present invention relates to the use of a compound of Group A or a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for treating, preventing, ameliorating, controlling or reducing the risk of disorders associated with NF-κB-inducing kinase dysfunction in a mammal, including a human, the treatment or prevention of which is affected or facilitated by inhibition of NF-κB-inducing kinase.

The invention also relates to a compound of Group A for use in the treatment or prevention of any one of the diseases mentioned hereinbefore.

The invention also relates to a compound of Group A for use in treating or preventing any one of the diseases mentioned hereinbefore.

The invention also relates to the use of a compound of Group A for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of any one of the disease conditions mentioned hereinbefore.

The compounds of the present invention can be administered to mammals, preferably humans, for the treatment or prevention of any one of the diseases mentioned hereinbefore.

In view of the utility of the compounds of Group A there is provided a method of treating warm-blooded animals, including humans, suffering from any one of the diseases mentioned hereinbefore.

Said method comprises the administration, i.e. the systemic or topical administration, preferably oral administration, of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Group A, to warm-blooded animals, including humans.

Therefore, the invention also relates to a method for the treatment of any one of the diseases mentioned hereinbefore comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of compound according to the invention to a patient in need thereof.

One skilled in the art will recognize that a therapeutically effective amount of the compounds of the present invention is the amount sufficient to have therapeutic activity and that this amount varies inter alias, depending on the type of disease, the concentration of the compound in the therapeutic formulation, and the condition of the patient. Generally, the amount of a compound of the present invention to be administered as a therapeutic agent for treating the disorders referred to herein will be determined on a case by case by an attending physician.

Those of skill in the treatment of such diseases could determine the effective therapeutic daily amount from the test results presented hereinafter. An effective therapeutic daily amount would be from about 0.005 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg, in particular 0.01 mg/kg to 50 mg/kg body weight, more in particular from 0.01 mg/kg to 25 mg/kg body weight, preferably from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 15 mg/kg, more preferably from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 10 mg/kg, even more preferably from about 0.01 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg, most preferably from about 0.05 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg body weight. The amount of a compound according to the present invention, also referred to here as the active ingredient, which is required to achieve a therapeutically effect may vary on case-by-case basis, for example with the particular compound, the route of administration, the age and condition of the recipient, and the particular disorder or disease being treated. A method of treatment may also include administering the active ingredient on a regimen of between one and four intakes per day. In these methods of treatment the compounds according to the invention are preferably formulated prior to administration. As described herein below, suitable pharmaceutical formulations are prepared by known procedures using well known and readily available ingredients.

The present invention also provides compositions for preventing or treating the disorders referred to herein. Said compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Group A and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

While it is possible for the active ingredient to be administered alone, it is preferable to present it as a pharmaceutical composition. Accordingly, the present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to the present invention, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. The carrier or diluent must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the other ingredients of the composition and not deleterious to the recipients thereof.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be prepared by any methods well known in the art of pharmacy, for example, using methods such as those described in Gennaro et al. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (18^(th) ed., Mack Publishing Company, 1990, see especially Part 8: Pharmaceutical preparations and their Manufacture). A therapeutically effective amount of the particular compound, in base form or addition salt form, as the active ingredient is combined in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, which may take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration. These pharmaceutical compositions are desirably in unitary dosage form suitable, preferably, for systemic administration such as oral, percutaneous or parenteral administration; or topical administration such as via inhalation, a nose spray, eye drops or via a cream, gel, shampoo or the like. For example, in preparing the compositions in oral dosage form, any of the usual pharmaceutical media may be employed, such as, for example, water, glycols, oils, alcohols and the like in the case of oral liquid preparations such as suspensions, syrups, elixirs and solutions: or solid carriers such as starches, sugars, kaolin, lubricants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like in the case of powders, pills, capsules and tablets. Because of their ease in administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit form, in which case solid pharmaceutical carriers are obviously employed. For parenteral compositions, the carrier will usually comprise sterile water, at least in large part, though other ingredients, for example, to aid solubility, may be included. Injectable solutions, for example, may be prepared in which the carrier comprises saline solution, glucose solution or a mixture of saline and glucose solution. Injectable suspensions may also be prepared in which case appropriate liquid carriers, suspending agents and the like may be employed. In the compositions suitable for percutaneous administration, the carrier optionally comprises a penetration enhancing agent and/or a suitable wettable agent, optionally combined with suitable additives of any nature in minor proportions, which additives do not cause any significant deleterious effects on the skin. Said additives may facilitate the administration to the skin and/or may be helpful for preparing the desired compositions. These compositions may be administered in various ways, e.g., as a transdermal patch, as a spot-on or as an ointment.

It is especially advantageous to formulate the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions in dosage unit form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage. Dosage unit form as used in the specification and claims herein refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active ingredient calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical carrier. Examples of such dosage unit forms are tablets (including scored or coated tablets), capsules, pills, powder packets, wafers, injectable solutions or suspensions, teaspoonfuls, tablespoonfuls and the like, and segregated multiples thereof.

The present compounds can be used for systemic administration such as oral, percutaneous or parenteral administration; or topical administration such as via inhalation, a nose spray, eye drops or via a cream, gel, shampoo or the like. The compounds are preferably orally administered. The exact dosage and frequency of administration depends on the particular compound of Group A used, the particular condition being treated, the severity of the condition being treated, the age, weight, sex, extent of disorder and general physical condition of the particular patient as well as other medication the individual may be taking, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is evident that said effective daily amount may be lowered or increased depending on the response of the treated subject and/or depending on the evaluation of the physician prescribing the compounds of the instant invention.

The compounds of the present invention may be administered alone or in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents. Combination therapy includes administration of a single pharmaceutical dosage formulation which contains a compound according to the present invention and one or more additional therapeutic agents, as well as administration of the compound according to the present invention and each additional therapeutic agent in its own separate pharmaceutical dosage formulation. For example, a compound according to the present invention and a therapeutic agent may be administered to the patient together in a single oral dosage composition such as a tablet or capsule, or each agent may be administered in separate oral dosage formulations.

For the treatment of the above conditions, the compounds of the invention may be advantageously employed in combination with one or more other medicinal agents, more particularly, with other anti-cancer agents or adjuvants in cancer therapy. Examples of anti-cancer agents or adjuvants (supporting agents in the therapy) include but are not limited to:

-   -   platinum coordination compounds for example cisplatin optionally         combined with amifostine, carboplatin or oxaliplatin;     -   taxane compounds for example paclitaxel, paclitaxel protein         bound particles (Abraxane™) or docetaxel;     -   topoisomerase I inhibitors such as camptothecin compounds for         example irinotecan, SN-38, topotecan, topotecan hcl;     -   topoisomerase II inhibitors such as anti-tumour         epipodophyllotoxins or podophyllotoxin derivatives for example         etoposide, etoposide phosphate or teniposide;     -   anti-tumour vinca alkaloids for example vinblastine, vincristine         or vinorelbine;     -   anti-tumour nucleoside derivatives for example 5-fluorouracil,         leucovorin, gemcitabine, gemcitabine hcl, capecitabine,         cladribine, fludarabine, nelarabine;     -   alkylating agents such as nitrogen mustard or nitrosourea for         example cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, carmustine, thiotepa,         mephalan (melphalan), lomustine, altretamine, busulfan,         dacarbazine, estramustine, ifosfamide optionally in combination         with mesna, pipobroman, procarbazine, streptozocin,         temozolomide, uracil;     -   anti-tumour anthracycline derivatives for example daunorubicin,         doxorubicin optionally in combination with dexrazoxane, doxil,         idarubicin, mitoxantrone, epirubicin, epirubicin hcl,         valrubicin;     -   molecules that target the IGF-1 receptor for example         picropodophilin;     -   tetracarcin derivatives for example tetrocarcin A;     -   glucocorticoden for example prednisone;     -   antibodies for example trastuzumab (HER2 antibody), rituximab         (CD20 antibody), gemtuzumab, gemtuzumab ozogamicin, cetuximab,         pertuzumab, bevacizumab, alemtuzumab, eculizumab, ibritumomab         tiuxetan, nofetumomab, panitumumab, tositumomab, CNTO 328;     -   estrogen receptor antagonists or selective estrogen receptor         modulators or inhibitors of estrogen synthesis for example         tamoxifen, fulvestrant, toremifene, droloxifene, faslodex,         raloxifene or letrozole;     -   aromatase inhibitors such as exemestane, anastrozole, letrazole,         testolactone and vorozole;     -   differentiating agents such as retinoids, vitamin D or retinoic         acid and retinoic acid metabolism blocking agents (RAMBA) for         example accutane;     -   DNA methyl transferase inhibitors for example azacytidine or         decitabine;     -   antifolates for example premetrexed disodium;     -   antibiotics for example antinomycin D, bleomycin, mitomycin C,         dactinomycin, carminomycin, daunomycin, levamisole, plicamycin,         mithramycin;     -   antimetabolites for example clofarabine, aminopterin, cytosine         arabinoside or methotrexate, azacitidine, cytarabine,         floxuridine, pentostatin, thioguanine;     -   apoptosis inducing agents and antiangiogenic agents such as         Bcl-2 inhibitors for example YC 137, BH 312, ABT 737, gossypol,         HA 14-1, TW 37 or decanoic acid;     -   tubuline-binding agents for example combrestatin, colchicines or         nocodazole;     -   kinase inhibitors (e.g. EGFR (epithelial growth factor receptor)         inhibitors, MTKI (multi target kinase inhibitors), mTOR         inhibitors) for example flavoperidol, imatinib mesylate,         erlotinib, gefitinib, dasatinib, lapatinib, lapatinib         ditosylate, sorafenib, sunitinib, sunitinib maleate,         temsirolimus;     -   famesyltransferase inhibitors for example tipifamib;     -   histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors for example sodium         butyrate, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA), depsipeptide         (FR 901228), NVP-LAQ824, R306465, quisinostat, trichostatin A,         vorinostat;     -   Inhibitors of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway for example         PS-341, MLN 0.41 or bortezomib;     -   Yondelis;     -   Telomerase inhibitors for example telomestatin;     -   Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors for example batimastat,         marimastat, prinostat or metastat;     -   Recombinant interleukins for example aldesleukin, denileukin         diftitox, interferon alfa 2a, interferon alfa 2b, peginterferon         alfa 2b;     -   MAPK inhibitors;     -   Retinoids for example alitretinoin, bexarotene, tretinoin;     -   Arsenic trioxide;     -   Asparaginase;     -   Steroids for example dromostanolone propionate, megestrol         acetate, nandrolone (decanoate, phenpropionate), dexamethasone;     -   Gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists or antagonists for         example abarelix, goserelin acetate, histrelin acetate,         leuprolide acetate;     -   Thalidomide, lenalidomide;     -   Mercaptopurine, mitotane, pamidronate, pegademase, pegaspargase,         rasburicase;     -   BH3 mimetics for example ABT-737;     -   MEK inhibitors for example PD98059, AZD6244, CI-1040;     -   colony-stimulating factor analogs for example filgrastim,         pegfilgrastim, sargramostim; erythropoietin or analogues thereof         (e.g. darbepoetin alfa); interleukin 11; oprelvekin;         zoledronate, zoledronic acid; fentanyl; bisphosphonate;         palifermin;     -   a steroidal cytochrome P450 17alpha-hydroxylase-17,20-lyase         inhibitor (CYP17), e.g. abiraterone, abiraterone acetate.

Therefore, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a product containing as first active ingredient a compound according to the invention and as further active ingredient one or more anticancer agent, as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in the treatment of patients suffering from cancer.

The one or more other medicinal agents and the compound according to the present invention may be administered simultaneously (e.g. in separate or unitary compositions) or sequentially in either order. In the latter case, the two or more compounds will be administered within a period and in an amount and manner that is sufficient to ensure that an advantageous or synergistic effect is achieved. It will be appreciated that the preferred method and order of administration and the respective dosage amounts and regimes for each component of the combination will depend on the particular other medicinal agent and compound of the present invention being administered, their route of administration, the particular tumour being treated and the particular host being treated. The optimum method and order of administration and the dosage amounts and regime can be readily determined by those skilled in the art using conventional methods and in view of the information set out herein.

The weight ratio of the compound according to the present invention and the one or more other anticancer agent(s) when given as a combination may be determined by the person skilled in the art. Said ratio and the exact dosage and frequency of administration depends on the particular compound according to the invention and the other anticancer agent(s) used, the particular condition being treated, the severity of the condition being treated, the age, weight, gender, diet, time of administration and general physical condition of the particular patient, the mode of administration as well as other medication the individual may be taking, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, it is evident that the effective daily amount may be lowered or increased depending on the response of the treated subject and/or depending on the evaluation of the physician prescribing the compounds of the instant invention. A particular weight ratio for the present compound of Group A and another anticancer agent may range from 1/10 to 10/1, more in particular from 1/5 to 5/1, even more in particular from 1/3 to 3/1.

The platinum coordination compound is advantageously administered in a dosage of 1 to 500 mg per square meter (mg/m2) of body surface area, for example 50 to 400 mg/m2, particularly for cisplatin in a dosage of about 75 mg/m2 and for carboplatin in about 300 mg/m2 per course of treatment.

The taxane compound is advantageously administered in a dosage of 50 to 400 mg per square meter (mg/m2) of body surface area, for example 75 to 250 mg/m2, particularly for paclitaxel in a dosage of about 175 to 250 mg/m2 and for docetaxel in about 75 to 150 mg/m2 per course of treatment.

The camptothecin compound is advantageously administered in a dosage of 0.1 to 400 mg per square meter (mg/m2) of body surface area, for example 1 to 300 mg/m2, particularly for irinotecan in a dosage of about 100 to 350 mg/m2 and for topotecan in about 1 to 2 mg/m2 per course of treatment.

The anti-tumour podophyllotoxin derivative is advantageously administered in a dosage of 30 to 300 mg per square meter (mg/m2) of body surface area, for example 50 to 250 mg/m2, particularly for etoposide in a dosage of about 35 to 100 mg/m2 and for teniposide in about 50 to 250 mg/m2 per course of treatment.

The anti-tumour vinca alkaloid is advantageously administered in a dosage of 2 to 30 mg per square meter (mg/m2) of body surface area, particularly for vinblastine in a dosage of about 3 to 12 mg/m2, for vincristine in a dosage of about 1 to 2 mg/m2, and for vinorelbine in dosage of about 10 to 30 mg/m2 per course of treatment.

The anti-tumour nucleoside derivative is advantageously administered in a dosage of 200 to 2500 mg per square meter (mg/m2) of body surface area, for example 700 to 1500 mg/m2, particularly for 5-FU in a dosage of 200 to 500 mg/m2, for gemcitabine in a dosage of about 800 to 1200 mg/m2 and for capecitabine in about 1000 to 2500 mg/m2 per course of treatment.

The alkylating agents such as nitrogen mustard or nitrosourea is advantageously administered in a dosage of 100 to 500 mg per square meter (mg/m2) of body surface area, for example 120 to 200 mg/m2, particularly for cyclophosphamide in a dosage of about 100 to 500 mg/m2, for chlorambucil in a dosage of about 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg, for carmustine in a dosage of about 150 to 200 mg/m2, and for lomustine in a dosage of about 100 to 150 mg/m2 per course of treatment.

The anti-tumour anthracycline derivative is advantageously administered in a dosage of 10 to 75 mg per square meter (mg/m2) of body surface area, for example 15 to 60 mg/m2, particularly for doxorubicin in a dosage of about 40 to 75 mg/m2, for daunorubicin in a dosage of about 25 to 45 mg/m2, and for idarubicin in a dosage of about 10 to 15 mg/m2 per course of treatment.

The antiestrogen agent is advantageously administered in a dosage of about 1 to 100 mg daily depending on the particular agent and the condition being treated. Tamoxifen is advantageously administered orally in a dosage of 5 to 50 mg, preferably 10 to 20 mg twice a day, continuing the therapy for sufficient time to achieve and maintain a therapeutic effect. Toremifene is advantageously administered orally in a dosage of about 60 mg once a day, continuing the therapy for sufficient time to achieve and maintain a therapeutic effect. Anastrozole is advantageously administered orally in a dosage of about 1 mg once a day. Droloxifene is advantageously administered orally in a dosage of about 20-100 mg once a day. Raloxifene is advantageously administered orally in a dosage of about 60 mg once a day. Exemestane is advantageously administered orally in a dosage of about 25 mg once a day.

Antibodies are advantageously administered in a dosage of about 1 to 5 mg per square meter (mg/m2) of body surface area, or as known in the art, if different. Trastuzumab is advantageously administered in a dosage of 1 to 5 mg per square meter (mg/m2) of body surface area, particularly 2 to 4 mg/m2 per course of treatment.

These dosages may be administered for example once, twice or more per course of treatment, which may be repeated for example every 7, 14, 21 or 28 days.

The following examples further illustrate the present invention.

EXAMPLES

Several methods for preparing the compounds of this invention are illustrated in the following examples. Unless otherwise noted, all starting materials were obtained from commercial suppliers and used without further purification.

Herein, the term ‘DCM’ means dichloromethane, ‘BEH’ means bridged ethylsiloxane/silica hybrid, ‘DIPEA’ means diisopropylethylamine, ‘DMF’ means N,N-dimethylformamide, ‘DMSO’ means dimethylsulfoxide, ‘UPLC’ means ultra performance liquid chromatography, ‘LC’ means liquid chromatography, ‘EtOAc’ means ethyl acetate, ‘HPLC’ means high performance liquid chromatography, ‘LCMS’ means liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, ‘MeCN’ means acetonitrile, ‘MeOH’ means methanol, ‘Et₂O’ means diethyl ether, ‘R_(t)’ means retention time, ‘ISOLUTE® SCX-2 SPE’ means ISOLUTE® silica propylsulfonic acid strong cation exchange column, ‘TBAF’ means tetrabutylammonium fluoride, ‘TFA’ means trifluoroacetic acid, ‘SFC’ means supercritical fluid chromatography, and ‘THF’ means tetrahydrofuran.

In the structures of the intermediates and the compounds of the present invention, deuterium (²H) is represented by the chemical symbol D.

The compounds of Group A may be synthesized in the form of racemic mixtures of enantiomers which can be separated from one another following art-known resolution procedures. The racemic compounds of Group A may be converted into the corresponding diastereomeric salt forms by reaction with a suitable chiral acid. Said diastereomeric salt forms are subsequently separated, for example, by selective or fractional crystallization and the enantiomers are liberated therefrom by alkali. An alternative manner of separating the enantiomeric forms of the compounds of Group A involves liquid chromatography using a chiral stationary phase. Said pure stereochemically isomeric forms may also be derived from the corresponding pure stereochemically isomeric forms of the appropriate starting materials, provided that the reaction occurs stereospecifically.

Preparation of Intermediates Example A1

a) Preparation of Intermediate 1

A stirred solution of 5-bromo-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridine (2.0 g, 10.2 mmol) in anhydrous DMF (80 ml) under a nitrogen atmosphere at ambient temperature was treated portionwise with sodium hydride (0.49 g, 12.2 mmol, 60% in mineral oil). After stirring for 20 minutes, 2-iodopropane (1.1 ml, 11.2 mmol) was added dropwise and the resulting mixture stirred for 18 hours. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo and the residue partitioned between water and EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of EtOAc and pentane (1:9 to 1:1 by volume), to afford the desired product as a brown oil (1.87 g, 77%).

LCMS (Method C): R_(t)=3.19 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=239/241.

b) Preparation of Intermediate 2

A stirred mixture of intermediate 1 (1.87 g, 7.81 mmol), aluminium chloride (2.08 g, 15.6 mmol) and anhydrous DCM (40 ml) at ambient temperature was treated dropwise with acetyl chloride (1.1 ml, 15.6 mmol), and the resulting mixture stirred for 4 hours. The mixture was treated sequentially with MeOH (2.0 ml), 15 M aqueous ammonium hydroxide solution (10 ml) and water. The separated aqueous phase was extracted with DCM and the combined organic phases were dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of EtOAc and pentane (1:9 to 1:0 by volume), to afford the desired product as a pale yellow solid (1.67 g, 76%).

LCMS (Method B): R_(t)=2.88 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=281/283.

c) Preparation of Intermediate 3

A mixture of intermediate 2 (1.66 g, 5.92 mmol) and tert-butoxy bis(dimethylamino)methane (2.44 ml, 11.8 mmol) was stirred at 100° C. for 30 minutes. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated in vacuo to afford the desired product as a pale yellow solid (1.99 g, 100%).

LCMS (Method C): R_(t)=2.80 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=336/338.

d) Preparation of Intermediate 4

A stirred mixture of guanidine hydrochloride (5.65 g, 59.2 mmol) and 1-butanol (40 ml) under a nitrogen atmosphere at 0° C. was treated portionwise with sodium methoxide (3.20 g, 59.2 mmol). After stirring for 30 minutes, intermediate 3 (1.99 g, 5.92 mmol) was added and the resulting mixture heated at 100° C. for 18 hours. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was partitioned between water and EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was triturated with Et₂O to afford the desired product as a white solid (1.77 g, 90%).

LCMS (Method C): R_(t)=2.04 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=332/334.

e) Preparation of Intermediate 5

A mixture of intermediate 4 (1.62 g, 4.88 mmol), N-iodosuccinimide (1.65 g, 7.32 mmol) and DMF (35 ml) was stirred at 55° C. for 2.5 hours. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and partitioned between water and EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was triturated with DCM to afford the desired product as a yellow solid (1.18 g, 53%). The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo and purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of EtOAc in pentane (0:1 to 1:0 by volume), to afford a second batch of desired product (0.36 g, 16%).

LCMS (Method C): R_(t)=3.24 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=458/460.

Example A2

a) Preparation of Intermediate 6

A stirred suspension of 5,7-dibromo-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridine (2.24 g, 8.12 mmol) in DCM (34 ml) at 0° C. was treated sequentially with 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.06 g, 0.49 mmol), triethylamine (2.26 ml, 12.2 mmol) and di-tert-butyldicarbonate (2.13 g, 9.74 mmol). The resulting mixture was warmed to ambient temperature and stirred for 1 hour. The mixture was partitioned between DCM and water. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of DCM and pentane (0:1 to 4:2 by volume), to afford the desired product as a white solid (2.66 g, 87%).

LCMS (Method C): R_(t)=4.05 min, m/z [M-(tBu)+H]⁺=319/321/323.

b) Preparation of Intermediate 7

A stirred suspension of intermediate 6 (5.29 g, 14.07 mmol) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0.81 g, 0.703 mmol) in anhydrous THF (54 ml) under a nitrogen atmosphere at ambient temperature was treated with 0.5 M solution of cyclopropyl zinc bromide in THF (42.2 ml, 21.10 mmol), and the resulting mixture was stirred for 4 hours. The mixture was partitioned between EtOAc and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of DCM and pentane (0:1 to 7:3 by volume), to afford the desired product as a white solid (4.0 g, 84%).

LCMS (Method C): R_(t)=4.61 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=337/339.

c) Preparation of Intermediate 8

A degassed mixture of intermediate 7 (4.0 g, 11.9 mmol), 4,4,-di-tert-butyl-2,2-dipyridyl (0.32 g, 1.19 mmol) and cyclohexane (53 ml) under an argon atmosphere at ambient temperature was treated sequentially with di-μ-methoxobis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)diiridium (0.39 g, 0.59 mmol) and 4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolane (8.6 ml, 59.3 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 45 minutes. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, filtered and the resulting filtrate concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of DCM and pentane (0:1 to 7:3 by volume), to afford the desired product as a white solid (4.74 g, 86%).

LCMS (Method D): R_(t)=4.62 min, m/z [M-(tert-Butyl)+H]⁺=407/409.

d) Preparation of Intermediate 9

A mixture of intermediate 8 (4.74 g, 10.2 mmol), 4-chloro-5-fluoropyrimidin-2-amine (3.78 g, 25.6 mmol), tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium (1.18 g, 1.02 mmol), 2.0 M aqueous sodium carbonate solution (20.5 ml, 40.9 mmol), toluene (126 ml) and MeOH (17 ml) was stirred under an argon atmosphere at 85° C. for 3 hours. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and partitioned between water and EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by trituration with DCM, followed by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of EtOAc and pentane (0:1 to 1:1 by volume), to afford the desired product as a white solid (2.30 g, 50%).

LCMS (Method D): R_(t)=3.81 min, m/z [M-(tert-Butyl)+H]⁺=392/394.

e) Preparation of Intermediate 10

A stirred solution of intermediate 9 (0.98 g, 2.19 mmol) in DCM (25 ml) under a nitrogen atmosphere at ambient temperature was treated with TFA (12 ml, 157 mmol) and the resulting mixture stirred for 6 hours. The mixture was concentrated in vacuo (2× using toluene to azeotrope the TFA) and the residue was triturated with MeOH to afford the desired product as a pale yellow solid (0.62 g, 80%).

LCMS (Method B): R_(t)=2.91 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=348/350.

Intermediates 11 and 12 were prepared by an analogous reaction protocol to intermediate 6 using the appropriate starting materials (Table 1).

TABLE 1 Intermediate Structure Starting Materials LCMS Data 11

a) 5-Bromo-7-methyl- 1H-pyrrolo[2,3- c]pyridine b) Di-tert- butyldicarbonate R_(t) = 4.13 min, m/z [M-(tert-Butyl] + H]⁺ = 255/257 (Method C) 12

a) Intermediate 5 b) Di-tert- butyldicarbonate R_(t) = 4.64 min, m/z [M + H] = 658/660 (Method C)

Intermediates 13 and 14 were prepared by an analogous reaction protocol to intermediate 8 using the appropriate starting materials (Table 2).

TABLE 2 Intermediate Structure Starting Materials LCMS Data 13

a) Intermediate 11 b) 4,4,5,5-Tetramethyl- 1,3,2-dioxaborolane R_(t) = 5.03 min, m/z [M-(tert- Butyl) + H]⁺ = 381/383 (Method C) 14

a) 5-Bromo-pyrrolo[2,3- c]pyridine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester b) 4,4,5,5-Tetramethyl- 1,3,2-dioxaborolane R_(t) = 4.88 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 423/425 (Method B)

Intermediates 15 and 16 were prepared by an analogous reaction protocol to intermediate 9 using the appropriate starting materials (Table 3).

TABLE 3 Intermediate Structure Starting Materials LCMS Data 15

a) Intermediate 13 b) 4-Chloro-5- fluoropyrimidin-2-amine R_(t) = 4.02 min, m/z [M-tert-Butyl]⁺ = 366/368 (Method C) 16

a) Intermediate 14 b) 4-Chloro-5- fluoropyrimidin-2-amine R_(t) = 3.87 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 408/410 (Method C)

Intermediates 17 to 23 were prepared by an analogous reaction protocol to intermediate 10 using the appropriate starting material (Table 4).

TABLE 4 Intermediate Structure Starting Material LCMS Data 17

Intermediate 16 R_(t) = 2.21 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 308/310 (Method C) 18

Intermediate 25 R_(t) = 1.71 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 377/379 (Method C) 19

Intermediate 27 R_(t) = 1.63 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 363/365 (Method C) 20

Intermediate 15 R_(t) = 2.07 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 322/324 (Method D) 21

Intermediate 28 R_(t) = 0.29/1.84 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 391/393 (Method C) 22

Intermediate 24 R_(t) = 0.30/1.82 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 461/463 (Method C) 23

Intermediate 37 R_(t) = 0.29/1.88 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 391/393 (Method C)

Example A3

a) Preparation of Intermediate 24

A mixture of intermediate 12 (0.50 g, 0.76 mmol), 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)morpholine (10 ml, 82.6 mmol), 1,10-phenanthroline (0.11 g, 0.61 mmol), copper(I) iodide (0.058 g, 0.30 mmol), and Cs₂CO₃ (0.50 mmol, 1.52 mmol) was heated by microwave irradiation at 110° C. for 0.5 hours. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and partitioned between water and EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of EtOAc and pentane (0:1 to 1:0 by volume), followed by a mixture of 2.0 M ammonia solution in MeOH and DCM (0:1 to 1:9 by volume), to afford the desired product as a yellow oil (0.50 g, 100%).

LCMS (Method C): R_(t)=2.51 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=561/563.

Example A4

a) Preparation of Intermediate 25

A stirred mixture of intermediate 17 (3.00 g, 9.74 mmol), Cs₂CO₃ (9.5 g, 29.2 mmol) and DMF (45 ml) at ambient temperature was treated with 3-methanesulfonyloxy-pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (3.87 g, 14.6 mmol), and the resulting mixture was heated at 80° C. for 20 hours. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and partitioned between water and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was triturated with Et₂O to afford the desired product as a brown solid (3.60 g, 77%).

Intermediates 26 to 28 were prepared by an analogous reaction protocol to intermediate 25 using the appropriate starting materials (Table 5).

TABLE 5 Intermediate Structure Starting Materials LCMS Data 26

a) Intermediate 19 b) 1-Bromo-3,3,3- trifluopropropane R_(t) = 1.95/2.07/2.97 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 459/461 (Method C) 27

a) Intermediate 17 b) 3-Iodo-azetidine-1- carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester R_(t) = 3.28 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 463/465 (Method B) 28

a) Intermediate 20 b) 3- Methanesulfonyloxy- pyrrolidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester R_(t) = 3.23 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 491/493 (Method D)

Example A5

a) Preparation of Intermediate 29

A stirred solution of intermediate 18 (0.20 g, 0.53 mmol) in a mixture of MeOH (11 ml) and 1,2-dichloroethane (6.2 ml) under a nitrogen atmosphere at ambient temperature was treated sequentially with sodium acetate (0.06 g, 0.69 mmol), acetone (0.077 ml, 1.06 mmol) and sodium triacetoxyborohydride (0.225 g, 1.06 mmol), and the resulting mixture was stirred for 2 hours. The mixture was purified by ISOLUTE® SCX-2 SPE column, eluting with a mixture of MeOH and 2.0 M ammonia solution in MeOH (1:0 to 0:1 by volume), to afford the desired product as a yellow solid (0.22 g, 99%).

LCMS (Method A): R_(t)=2.03 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=419/421.

Intermediates 30 to 33 were prepared by an analogous reaction protocol to intermediate 29 using the appropriate starting materials (Table 6).

TABLE 6 Intermediate Structure Starting Materials LCMS Data 30

a) Intermediate 18 b) Propionaldehyde R_(t) = 0.26/1.87 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 419/421 (Method B) 31

a) Intermediate 21 b) Acetaldehyde R_(t) = 0.29/1.89 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 419/421 (Method C) 32

a) Intermediate 18 b) Butyraldehyde R_(t) = 2.14 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 433/435 (Method A) 33

a) Intermediate 23 b) Propionaldehyde R_(t) = 0.34/1.98 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 433/435 (Method C)

Example A6

a) Preparation of Intermediate 34

A stirred mixture of intermediate 18 (0.30 g, 0.79 mmol), DIPEA (0.70 mL, 1.59 mmol), THF (8.0 ml) and DMF (4 ml) at ambient temperature was treated with 1-bromo-3-methoxy-propane (0.18 ml, 1.59 mmol), and the resulting mixture was heated at 70° C. for 18 hours. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was partitioned between water and DCM. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of MeOH and DCM (0:1 to 2:23 by volume), to afford the desired product as a white solid (0.15 g, 51%).

LCMS (Method C): R_(t)=0.34/1.65/1.82 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=449/451.

Intermediate 35 was prepared by an analogous reaction protocol to intermediate 34 using the appropriate starting materials (Table 7).

TABLE 7 Intermediate Structure Starting Materials LCMS Data 35

a) Intermediate18 b) 1-Bromo-2- methoxyethane R_(t) = 0.34/1.77 min, m/z [M + H]⁺ = 435/437 (Method C)

Example A7

a) Preparation of Intermediate 36

A stirred solution of intermediate 19 (3.2 g, 6.71 mmol) in a mixture of MeOH (63 ml) and acetic acid (32 ml) under nitrogen atmosphere at ambient temperature was treated with (1-ethoxycyclopropoxy)trimethylsilane (6.74 ml, 33.5 mmol). After stirring for 10 minutes, the mixture was treated with sodium cyanoborohydride (2.53 g, 40.2 mmol) and the resulting mixture was stirred at 55° C. for 2 hours. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and partitioned between DCM and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of DCM and MeOH (1:0 to 19:1 by volume). Further purification by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of 2.0 M ammonia solution in MeOH and DCM (0:1 to 1:9 by volume), afforded the desired product as a white solid (0.85 g, 31%).

LCMS (Method C): R_(t)=1.86 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=403/405.

Example A8

a) Preparation of Intermediate 37

A stirred mixture of intermediate 17 (1.00 g, 3.25 mmol), powdered potassium hydroxide (0.55 g, 9.74 mmol), toluene (20 ml) and DMF (2.0 ml) under a nitrogen atmosphere at ambient temperature was treated with 3-methanesulfonyloxy-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (1.37 g, 4.90 mmol) and the resulting mixture was heated at 90° C. for 18 hours. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and partitioned between EtOAc and water. The organic phase was dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of 2.0 M ammonia solution in MeOH and DCM (0:1 to 1:19 by volume). Further purification by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of EtOAc and pentane (0:1 to 1:0 by volume), afforded the desired product as a pale yellow solid (0.17 g, 10%).

LCMS (Method C): R_(t)=3.53 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=491/493.

Example A9

a) Preparation of Intermediate 38

A stirred solution of (methyldiphenylsilyl)acetylene (80.0 g, 359.8 mmol) in anhydrous THF (1200 ml) under an argon atmosphere at −78° C. was treated with n-butyllithium (23.5 g, 367.0 mmol) maintaining the temperature below −70° C. After stirring for 1 hour, the mixture was treated with 1-cyclopropyl-ethanone (36.3 g, 432.0 mmol) and the resulting mixture stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 hours. The mixture was quenched by the addition of water and partitioned between water and EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by chiral preparative SFC with the following conditions: column, ChiralPak IC, 300×50 mm, 10 μm; mobile phase, CO₂ (90%) and a mixture of heptane and isopropanol (1:1 by volume) (10%); flow rate 200 ml/min, back pressure 100 bar; detector, UV 220 nm; column temperature 38° C. The first eluting enantiomer was isolated as an off-white solid (20.2 g, 47.5%). The second eluting enantiomer (intermediate 38; R or S enantiomer) was isolated as an off-white solid (20.2 g, 47.5%).

Example A10

a) Preparation of Intermediate 39

A stirred solution of (methyldiphenylsilyl)acetylene (4.95 ml, 22.5 mmol) in anhydrous THF (80 ml) under an argon atmosphere at −78° C. was treated with a 1.6 M solution of n-butyllithium in hexanes (15.5 ml, 24.8 mmol) maintaining the temperature below −70° C. After 1 hour, the mixture was treated with acetone-d₆ (1.95 ml, 27.0 mmol) and the resulting mixture stirred at 0° C. for 1.5 hours. The mixture was quenched by the addition of water and partitioned between water and EtOAc. The organic phase was washed with brine, dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of EtOAc and cyclohexane (0:1 to 2:3 by volume), to afford the desired product as a colourless oil (6.31 g, 98%).

Preparation of Compounds

The values of acid content (e.g. formic acid or acetic acid) in the compounds as provided herein, are those obtained experimentally and may vary when using different analytical methods. The content of formic acid or acetic acid reported herein was determined by ¹H NMR integration and is reported together with the ¹H NMR results. Compounds with an acid content of below 0.5 equivalents may be considered as free bases.

Example B1

a) Preparation of Compound 1

A mixture of intermediate 10 (0.20 g, 0.57 mmol), 2-cyclopropyl-but-3-yn-2-ol (0.13 g, 1.15 mmol), tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0.13 g, 0.11 mmol), copper(I) iodide (0.01 g, 0.05 mmol), triethylamine (0.53 ml, 3.78 mmol) and MeCN (12 ml) was heated by microwave irradiation at 100° C. for 1 hour. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel eluting with a mixture of 2.0 M ammonia solution in MeOH and DCM (0:1 to 3:97 by volume). Further purification by reverse phase preparative HPLC, eluting with a mixture of MeCN and water containing 0.1% ammonium hydroxide (1:19 to 3:2 by volume over 20 minutes), afforded the desired product as a pale yellow solid (0.072 g, 33%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 12.64 (br. s, 1H), 8.35 (s, 1H), 8.25-8.24 (m, 2H), 6.58 (s, 2H), 5.30 (s, 1H), 2.68-2.58 (m, 1H), 1.53 (s, 3H), 1.21-1.12 (m, 1H), 1.12-1.07 (m, 2H), 1.06-1.01 (m, 2H), 0.59-0.48 (m, 2H), 0.46-0.35 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.73 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=378.

Example B2

a) Preparation of Compound 2

A degassed mixture of intermediate 20 (0.20 g, 0.62 mmol), intermediate 38 (0.29 g, 0.93 mmol), tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) palladium (0.14 g, 0.12 mmol), copper (I) iodide (0.012 g, 0.06 mmol), triethylamine (0.61 ml, 4.35 mmol) and MeCN (7.5 ml) was treated with 1.0 M solution of TBAF in THF (0.31 ml, 0.31 mmol). The resulting mixture was heated at 100° C. for 30 minutes. The mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was purified by column chromatography on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of 2.0 M ammonia solution in MeOH and DCM (0:1 to 1:9 by volume). The residue was purified by ISOLUTE® SCX-2 SPE column, eluting with a mixture of MeOH and 2.0 M ammonia solution in MeOH (1:0 to 0:1 by volume). Further purification by reverse phase preparative HPLC, eluting with a mixture of MeCN and water containing 0.1% ammonium hydroxide (1:9 to 7:3 by volume over 20 minutes), afforded the desired product as a white solid (0.11 g, 49%).

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 12.43 (br. s, 1H), 8.42 (s, 1H), 8.24 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 8.21 (d, J=2.9 Hz, 1H), 6.59 (s, 2H), 5.30 (s, 1H), 2.68 (s, 3H), 1.54 (s, 3H), 1.21-1.13 (m, 1H), 0.59-0.50 (m, 2H), 0.45-0.38 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.44 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=352.

Compounds 3 to 23 were prepared by an analogous reaction protocol to Example B1 or B2 using the appropriate starting materials (Table 8).

TABLE 8 Compound Structure Starting Materials Method  3

a) Intermediate 29 b) 2-Cyclopropyl-but-3- yn-2-ol B1  4

a) Intermediate 22 b) 2-Cyclopropyl-but-3- yn-2-ol B1  5

a) Intermediate 26 b) Intermediate 38 B2  6

a) Intermediate 30 b) Intermediate 38 B2  7

a) Intermediate 35 b) Intermediate 38 B2  8

a) Intermediate 34 b) Intermediate 38 B2  9

a) Intermediate 36 b) But-3-yn-2-ol B1 10

a) Intermediate 31 b) Intermediate 38 B2 11

a) Intermediate 32 b) Intermediate 38 B2 12

a) Intermediate 33 b) Intermediate 39 B2 13

a) Intermediate 10 b) Intermediate 38 B2 14

a) Intermediate 36 b) 2-Thiazol-2-yl-but-3- yn-2-ol B1 15

a) Intermediate 36 b) 2-(5-Methyl- [1,2,4]oxadiazol-3-yl)- but-3-yn-2-ol B1 16

a) Intermediate 36 b) 2-(5-Methyl-isoxazol-3- yl)-but-3-yn-2-ol B1 17

a) Intermediate 36 b) 2-Pyrimidin-2-yl-but-3- yn-2-ol B1 18

a) Intermediate 17 b) 2-(5-Methyl-isoxazol-3- yl)-but-3-yn-2-ol B1 19

a) Intermediate 17 b) 2-Thiazol-2-yl-but-3- yn-2-ol B1 20

a) Intermediate 17 b) 1-Ethynylcyclopentanol B1 21

a) Intermediate 36 b) 1-Ethynylcyclopentanol B1 22

a) Intermediate 10 b) 1-Ethynylcyclopentanol B1 23

a) Intermediate 10 b) 2-(5-Methyl-isoxazol-3- yl)-but-3-yn-2-ol B1

Example C1

a) Preparation of Compounds 24 and 25

Compound 12 (0.12 g, 0.27 mmol) was purified by chiral SFC with the following conditions: column, YMC Cellulose-C; mobile phase, CO₂ (75%), IPA with 1% diethylamine (25%); detector, UV 240 nm. This afforded Compound 24 (first eluting enantiomer) as a white solid (0.050 g, 40%) and Compound 25 (second eluting enantiomer) as a white solid (0.023 g, 19%).

Example C2

a) Preparation of Compounds 26 and 27

Compound 11 (0.06 g, 0.13 mmol) was purified by chiral SFC with the following conditions: column, YMC Cellulose-C; mobile phase, CO₂ (70%), IPA with 1% diethylamine (30%); detector, UV 240 nm. This afforded Compound 26 (first eluting diastereoisomer) as a white solid (0.018 g, 29%) and Compound 27 (second eluting diastereoisomer) as a white solid (0.016 g, 26%).

Example C3

a) Preparation of Compounds 28 and 29

Compound 14 (0.04 g, 0.09 mmol) was purified by chiral SFC with the following conditions: column, YMC Cellulose-C; mobile phase, CO₂ (70%), IPA with 1% diethylamine (30%); detector, UV 240 nm. This afforded Compound 28 (first eluting enantiomer) as a pale yellow solid (0.018 g, 45%) and Compound 29 (second eluting enantiomer) as a pale yellow solid (0.016 g, 39%).

Example C4

Preparation of Compounds 30 and 31

Compound 19 (0.06 g, 0.17 mmol) was purified by chiral SFC with the following conditions: column, YMC Amylose-C; mobile phase, CO₂ (75%), IPA with 1% diethylamine (25%); detector, UV 240 nm. This afforded Compound 30 (first eluting enantiomer) as a yellow solid (0.022 g, 35%) and Compound 31 (second eluting enantiomer) as a yellow solid (0.017 g, 27%).

Example C5

Preparation of Compounds 32 and 33

Compound 18 (0.06 g, 0.16 mmol) was purified by chiral SFC with the following conditions: column, LUX Cellulose-4; mobile phase, CO₂ (50%), IPA with 1% diethylamine (50%); detector, UV 240 nm. This afforded Compound 32 (first eluting enantiomer) as an off-white solid (0.017 g, 28%) and Compound 33 (second eluting enantiomer) as an off-white solid (0.014 g, 23%).

Analytical Part

LCMS

Mass Spectrometry (LCMS) experiments to determine retention times and associated mass ions were performed using the following methods:

Method A: Experiments were performed on a Waters ZMD quadrupole mass spectrometer linked to a Waters 1525 LC system with a diode array detector. The spectrometer had an electrospray source operating in positive and negative ion mode. Additional detection was achieved using a Sedex 85 evaporative light scattering detector. LC was carried out using a Luna 3 micron 30×4.6 mm C18 column and a 2 mL/minute flow rate. The initial solvent system was 95% water containing 0.1% formic acid (solvent A) and 5% MeCN containing 0.1% formic acid (solvent B) for the first 0.5 minute followed by a gradient up to 5% solvent A and 95% solvent B over the next 4 min. The final solvent system was held constant for a further 1 minute.

Method B: Experiments were performed on a Waters VG Platform II quadrupole spectrometer linked to a Hewlett Packard 1050 LC system with a diode array detector. The spectrometer had an electrospray source operating in positive and negative ion mode. Additional detection was achieved using a Sedex 85 evaporative light scattering detector. LC was carried out using a Luna 3 micron 30×4.6 mm C18 column and a 2 mL/minute flow rate. The initial solvent system was 95% water containing 0.1% formic acid (solvent A) and 5% MeCN containing 0.1% formic acid (solvent B) for the first 0.3 minute followed by a gradient up to 5% solvent A and 95% solvent B over the next 4 min. The final solvent system was held constant for a further 1 minute.

Method C: Experiments were performed on a Waters Platform LC quadrupole mass spectrometer linked to a Hewlett Packard HP 1100 LC system with diode array detector. The spectrometer had an electrospray source operating in positive and negative ion mode. Additional detection was achieved using a Sedex 85 evaporative light scattering detector. LC was carried out using a Phenomenex Luna 3 micron 30×4.6 mm C18 column and a 2 mL/minute flow rate. The initial solvent system was 95% water containing 0.1% formic acid (solvent A) and 5% MeCN containing 0.1% formic acid (solvent B) for the first 0.5 minute followed by a gradient up to 5% solvent A and 95% solvent B over the next 4 min. The final solvent system was held constant for a further 1 minute.

Method D: Experiments were performed on a Waters ZQ quadrupole mass spectrometer linked to a Hewlett Packard HP 1100 LC system with quaternary pump and PDA detector. The spectrometer had an electrospray source operating in positive and negative ion mode. Additional detection was achieved using a Sedex 65 evaporative light scattering detector. LC was carried out using a Phenomenex Luna 3 micron 30×4.6 mm C18 column and a 2 mL/minute flow rate. The initial solvent system was 95% water containing 0.1% formic acid (solvent A) and 5% MeCN containing 0.1% formic acid (solvent B) for the first 0.3 minute followed by a gradient up to 5% solvent A and 95% solvent B over the next 4 min. The final solvent system was held constant for a further 1 minute.

Method E: Experiments were performed on a Waters Micromass ZQ2000 quadrupole mass spectrometer linked to a Waters Acquity UPLC system with a PDA UV detector. The spectrometer had an electrospray source operating in positive and negative ion mode. LC was carried out using an Acquity BEH 1.7 micron C18 column, an Acquity BEH Shield 1.7 micron RP18 column or an Acquity HST 1.8 micron column. Each column has dimensions of 100×2.1 mm and was maintained at 40° C. with a flow rate of 0.4 mL/minute. The initial solvent system was 95% water containing 0.1% formic acid (solvent A) and 5% MeCN containing 0.1% formic acid (solvent B) for the first 0.4 minute followed by a gradient up to 5% solvent A and 95% solvent B over the next 5.2 min. The final solvent system was held constant for a further 0.8 min.

NMR Data

The NMR experiments herein were carried out using a Varian Unity Inova spectrometer with standard pulse sequences, operating at 400 MHz at ambient temperature. Chemical shifts (6) are reported in parts per million (ppm) downfield from tetramethylsilane (TMS), which was used as internal standard. CDCl₃ (deuterated chloroform) or DMSO-d₆ (deuterated DMSO, dimethyl-d6 sulfoxide) was used as solvent.

The values of acid content (e.g. formic acid or acetic acid) in the compounds as provided herein, are those obtained experimentally and may vary when using different analytical methods. The content of formic acid or acetic acid reported herein was determined by ¹H NMR integration. Compounds with an acid content of below 0.5 equivalents may be considered as free bases.

Compound 3

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.14 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.58 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.50 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 8.26 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 6.63 (s, 2H), 5.38-5.30 (m, 2H), 3.19-3.12 (m, 2H), 2.75 (dd, J=7.1, 10.6 Hz, 1H), 2.56-2.45 (m, 2H), 2.42-2.34 (m, 1H), 2.00-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.55 (s, 3H), 1.22-1.14 (m, 1H), 1.12 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H), 1.09 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 3H), 0.62-0.49 (m, 2H), 0.48-0.39 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.26 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=449.

Compound 4

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm 8.96 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.69 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.64 (s, 1H), 8.11 (s, 1H), 6.16 (s, 2H), 5.32 (s, 1H), 5.05-4.96 (m, 1H), 4.19 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 2H), 3.59 (t, J=4.6 Hz, 4H), 2.79 (t, J=5.4 Hz, 2H), 2.49-2.44 (m, 4H), 1.59-1.54 (m, 9H), 1.22-1.14 (m, 1H), 0.62-0.49 (m, 2H), 0.48-0.36 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.05 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=491.

Compound 5

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.05 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.58 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.50 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.29 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H), 6.66 (s, 2H), 5.41-5.32 (m, 2H), 3.82 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 3.56-3.51 (m, 2H), 2.79 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 2H), 2.45-2.31 (m, 2H), 1.55 (s, 3H), 1.22-1.14 (m, 1H), 0.60-0.50 (m, 2H), 0.45-0.38 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.61 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=489.

Compound 6

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.13 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.59 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.48 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 8.25 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 6.63 (s, 2H), 5.41-5.35 (m, 1H), 5.34 (s, 1H), 3.20-3.10 (m, 2H), 2.64-2.52 (m, 2H), 2.48-2.39 (m, 2H), 2.25 (q, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 2.00-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.55 (s, 3H), 1.54-1.48 (m, 2H), 1.25-1.14 (m, 1H), 0.95 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H), 0.60-0.50 (m, 2H), 0.46-0.38 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.30 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=449.

Compound 7

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.11 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.58 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.45 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.26 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 6.63 (s, 2H), 5.40-5.32 (m, 2H), 3.51 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2H), 3.28 (s, 3H), 3.22-3.14 (m, 2H), 2.79-2.60 (m, 3H), 2.56-2.52 (m, 1H), 2.37 (q, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 1.99-1.88 (m, 1H), 1.55 (s, 3H), 1.22-1.14 (m, 1H), 0.60-0.50 (m, 2H), 0.46-0.39 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.26 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=465.

Compound 8

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.11 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.59 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.45 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 8.26 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 6.64 (s, 2H), 5.42-5.36 (m, 1H), 5.34 (s, 1H), 3.45-3.40 (m, 2H), 3.24 (s, 3H), 3.20-3.10 (m, 2H), 2.65-2.53 (m, 4H), 2.26 (q, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 2.01-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.79-1.67 (m, 2H), 1.55 (s, 3H), 1.22-1.14 (m, 1H), 0.60-0.50 (m, 2H), 0.46-0.39 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.32 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=479.

Compound 9

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.02 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.64 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.46 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 8.28 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H), 6.68 (s, 2H), 5.50 (d, J=4.4 Hz, 1H), 5.37-5.29 (m, 1H), 4.68-4.60 (m, 1H), 3.87 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 3.63-3.57 (m, 2H), 2.13-2.07 (m, 1H), 1.44 (d, J=6.6 Hz, 3H), 0.44-0.38 (m, 2H), 0.34-0.29 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=1.87 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=393.

Compound 10

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 8.57 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 8.51 (s, 1H), 8.24 (d, J=4.0 Hz, 1H), 6.61 (s, 2H), 5.52-5.48 (m, 1H), 5.31 (s, 1H), 3.25 (d, J=10.9 Hz, 1H), 3.15 (dt, J=2.8, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 2.89 (s, 3H), 2.65-2.53 (m, 3H), 2.48-2.44 (m, 1H), 2.25 (q, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 1.93-1.83 (m, 1H), 1.54 (s, 3H), 1.21-1.11 (m, 4H), 0.60-0.49 (m, 2H), 0.45-0.38 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.06 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=449.

Compound 11 (Formic acid 0.8 equivalents)

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.12 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.59 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.46 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 8.26 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 8.16 (s, 0.8H), 6.63 (s, 2H), 5.40-5.32 (m, 2H), 3.19-3.10 (m, 2H), 2.65-2.52 (m, 3H), 2.48-2.41 (m, 1H), 2.25 (q, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 1.99-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.55 (s, 3H), 1.53-1.35 (m, 4H), 1.22-1.14 (m, 1H), 0.92 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 3H), 0.60-0.50 (m, 2H), 0.46-0.38 (n, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.48 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=463.

Compound 12

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ ppm: 8.81 (s, 1H), 8.69 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.45 (s, 1H), 8.15 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H), 5.02 (s, 2H), 4.71-4.62 (m, 1H), 3.12-3.07 (m, 1H), 2.78-2.71 (m, 1H), 2.56 (t, J=9.4 Hz, 1H), 2.42-2.33 (m, 4H), 2.19-2.12 (m, 1H), 1.97-1.76 (m, 3H), 1.59-1.52 (m, 2H), 0.93 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.14 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=443.

Compound 13

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 12.62 (br. s, 1H), 8.35 (s, 1H), 8.26-8.24 (m, 2H), 6.59 (s, 2H), 5.31 (s, 1H), 2.66-2.58 (m, 1H), 1.53 (s, 3H), 1.21-1.13 (m, 1H), 1.13-1.00 (m, 4H), 0.60-0.50 (m, 2H), 0.48-0.37 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.71 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=378.

Compound 14

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.03 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.62 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.47 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.29 (d, J=3.6 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=3.2 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=3.3 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (br. s, 1H), 6.67 (s, 2H), 5.38-5.30 (m, 1H), 3.87 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 3.62-3.57 (m, 2H), 2.13-2.07 (m, 1H), 1.94 (s, 3H), 0.44-0.38 (m, 2H), 0.34-0.28 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.20 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=476.

Compound 15

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.04 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.64 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.47 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.29 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H), 6.74 (s, 1H), 6.67 (s, 2H), 5.39-5.31 (m, 1H), 3.88 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 3.63-3.58 (m, 2H), 2.63 (s, 3H), 2.13-2.07 (m, 1H), 1.89 (s, 3H), 0.45-0.38 (m, 2H), 0.34-0.29 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.13 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=475.

Compound 16

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.03 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.63 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.47 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.29 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H), 6.68 (s, 2H), 6.54 (br. s, 1H), 6.39 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 5.38-5.30 (m, 1H), 3.90-3.85 (m, 2H), 3.63-3.57 (m, 2H), 2.42 (d, J=0.8 Hz, 3H), 2.13-2.07 (m, 1H), 1.85 (s, 3H), 0.44-0.38 (m, 2H), 0.34-0.30 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.28 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=474.

Compound 17

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.00 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.90 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 2H), 8.59 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.45 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.28 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H), 7.51 (t, J=4.8 Hz, 1H), 6.66 (s, 2H), 6.17 (s, 1H), 5.37-5.29 (m, 1H), 3.87 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 2H), 3.62-3.57 (m, 2H), 2.13-2.06 (m, 1H), 1.92 (s, 3H), 0.44-0.37 (m, 2H), 0.34-0.28 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=1.96 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=471.

Compound 18

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 12.48 (br. s, 1H), 8.80 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.63 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.31 (d, J=2.7 Hz, 1H), 8.25 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 6.63 (s, 2H), 6.52 (s, 1H), 6.39 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 2.42 (d, J=0.8 Hz, 3H), 1.85 (s, 3H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.42 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=379.

Compound 19

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 12.45 (br. s, 1H), 8.79 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.62 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.31 (d, J=2.9 Hz, 1H), 8.25 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=3.3 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=3.3 Hz, 1H), 7.05 (s, 1H), 6.62 (s, 2H), 1.94 (s, 3H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.32 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=381.

Compound 20

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 12.41 (br. s, 1H), 8.78 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.59 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.30 (d, J=2.8 Hz, 1H), 8.24 (d, J=3.9 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (s, 2H), 5.32 (s, 1H), 1.99-1.92 (m, 4H), 1.81-1.68 (m, 4H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.40 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=338.

Compound 21

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.01 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.60 (d, J=0.8 Hz, 1H), 8.45 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.28 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H), 6.67 (s, 2H), 5.36-5.30 (m, 2H), 3.87 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 3.63-3.57 (m, 2H), 2.14-2.06 (m, 1H), 1.99-1.94 (m, 4H), 1.79-1.68 (m, 4H), 0.45-0.38 (m, 2H), 0.34-0.30 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.26 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=433.

Compound 22

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 12.63 (br. s, 1H), 8.39 (s, 1H), 8.24 (d, J=2.7 Hz, 2H), 6.60 (s, 2H), 5.30 (s, 1H), 2.66-2.59 (m, 1H), 1.97-1.91 (m, 4H), 1.79-1.67 (m, 4H), 1.13-1.08 (m, 2H), 1.07-1.00 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.72 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=378.

Compound 23

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 12.67 (br. s, 1H), 8.41 (s, 1H), 8.27-8.23 (m, 2H), 6.59 (s, 2H), 6.49 (s, 1H), 6.38 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 2.67-2.59 (m, 1H), 2.41 (s, 3H), 1.84 (s, 3H), 1.13-1.07 (m, 2H), 1.07-1.00 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.75 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=419.

Compound 24

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ ppm: 8.82 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.69 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.45 (s, 1H), 8.15 (d, J=3.6 Hz, 1H), 5.04 (s, 2H), 4.71-4.62 (m, 1H), 3.14-3.07 (m, 1H), 2.77-2.71 (m, 1H), 2.58-2.53 (m, 1H), 2.47 (s, 1H), 2.42-2.33 (m, 3H), 2.19-2.10 (m, 1H), 1.97-1.74 (m, 3H), 1.59-1.51 (m, 2H), 0.94 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.14 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=443.

Compound 25

¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ ppm: 8.81 (d, J=0.7 Hz, 1H), 8.69 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.45 (s, 1H), 8.15 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H), 5.02 (s, 2H), 4.71-4.62 (m, 1H), 3.12-3.09 (m, 1H), 2.77-2.71 (m, 1H), 2.60-2.54 (m, 1H), 2.42-2.33 (m, 4H), 2.19-2.10 (m, 1H), 1.97-1.76 (m, 3H), 1.56-1.50 (m, 2H), 0.94 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 3H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.15 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=443.

Compound 26

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.13 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.59 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.46 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 8.26 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 6.63 (s, 2H), 5.41-5.36 (m, 1H), 5.35 (s, 1H), 3.19-3.10 (m, 2H), 2.64-2.53 (m, 2H), 2.48-2.41 (m, 2H), 2.25 (q, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 1.99-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.55 (s, 3H), 1.53-1.36 (m, 4H), 1.22-1.14 (m, 1H), 0.92 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 3H), 0.60-0.50 (m, 2H), 0.46-0.38 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.46 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=463.

Compound 27

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.12 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.59 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.46 (d, J=2.5 Hz, 1H), 8.26 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 6.63 (s, 2H), 5.39-5.36 (m, 1H), 5.34 (s, 1H), 3.20-3.10 (m, 2H), 2.64-2.53 (m, 2H), 2.48-2.41 (m, 2H), 2.25 (q, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 2.00-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.55 (s, 3H), 1.53-1.36 (m, 4H), 1.22-1.14 (m, 1H), 0.92 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 3H), 0.60-0.50 (m, 2H), 0.46-0.38 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.46 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=463.

Compound 28

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.03 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.62 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.47 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.29 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=3.2 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=3.3 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (s, 1H), 6.67 (s, 2H), 5.38-5.30 (m, 1H), 3.90-3.84 (m, 2H), 3.62-3.57 (m, 2H), 2.13-2.06 (m, 1H), 1.94 (s, 3H), 0.44-0.38 (m, 2H), 0.33-0.30 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.19 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=476.

Compound 29

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 9.03 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.62 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.47 (d, J=2.3 Hz, 1H), 8.28 (d, J=3.7 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=3.2 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=3.3 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (s, 1H), 6.67 (s, 2H), 5.38-5.30 (m, 1H), 3.87 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 3.62-3.57 (m, 2H), 2.13-2.07 (m, 1H), 1.94 (s, 3H), 0.44-0.38 (m, 2H), 0.33-0.29 (m, 2H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.19 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=476.

Compound 30

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 12.42 (br. s, 1H), 8.79 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.61 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.31 (d, J=2.7 Hz, 1H), 8.24 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=3.2 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=3.3 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (s, 1H), 6.61 (s, 2H), 1.94 (s, 3H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.32 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=381.

Compound 31

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 12.45 (br. s, 1H), 8.78 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.61 (d, J=1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.31 (d, J=2.9 Hz, 1H), 8.23 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=3.2 Hz, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=3.2 Hz, 1H), 7.04 (s, 1H), 6.59 (s, 2H), 1.94 (s, 3H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.32 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=381.

Compound 32

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 12.43 (br. s, 1H), 8.79 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.63 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.31 (d, J=2.7 Hz, 1H), 8.25 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (s, 2H), 6.51 (s, 1H), 6.39 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 2.42 (d, J=0.8 Hz, 3H), 1.85 (s, 3H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.42 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=379.

Compound 33

¹H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ ppm: 12.33 (br. s, 1H), 8.80 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.63 (d, J=1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.31 (d, J=2.7 Hz, 1H), 8.25 (d, J=3.8 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (s, 2H), 6.51 (s, 1H), 6.39 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 2.42 (d, J=0.7 Hz, 3H), 1.85 (s, 3H).

LCMS (Method E): R_(t)=2.41 min, m/z [M+H]⁺=379.

Pharmacological Part

Biological Assay A

Inhibition of Auto-Phosphorylation of Recombinant Human NF-kappaB-Inducing Kinase (NIK/MAP3K14) Activity (AlphaScreen®)

NIK/MAP3K14 auto-phosphorylation activity was measured using the AlphaScreen® (αscreen) format (Perkin Elmer). All compounds tested were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and further dilutions were made in assay buffer. Final DMSO concentration was 1% (v/v) in assays. Assay buffer was 50 mM Tris pH 7.5 containing 1 mM EGTA (ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid), 1 mM DTT (dithiothreitol), 0.1 mM Na₃VO₄, 5 mM MgCl₂, 0.01% Tween® 20. Assays were carried out in 384 well Alphaplates (Perkin Elmer). Incubations consisted of compound, 25 microM Adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP), and 0.2 nM NIK/MAP3K14. Incubations were initiated by addition of GST-tagged NIK/MAP3K14 enzyme, carried out for 1 h at 25° C. and terminated by addition of stop buffer containing anti-phospho-IKK Ser176/180 antibody. Protein A Acceptor and Glutathione-Donor beads were added before reading using an EnVision® Multilabel Plate Reader (Perkin Elmer). Signal obtained in the wells containing blank samples was subtracted from all other wells and IC₅₀'s were determined by fitting a sigmoidal curve to % inhibition of control versus Log₁₀ compound concentration.

Biological Assay B

Effect of Compounds on P-IKKα Levels in L363 Cells

All compounds tested were dissolved in DMSO and further dilutions were made in culture medium. Final DMSO concentration was 1% (v/v) in cell assays. The human L363 cells (ATCC) were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with GlutaMax and 10% fetal calf serum (PAA). Cells were routinely maintained at densities of 0.2×10⁶ cells per ml-1×10⁶ cells per ml at 37° C. in a humidified 5% CO₂ atmosphere.

Cells were passaged twice a week splitting back to obtain the low density. Cells were seeded in 96 well plates (Nunc 167008) at 2×10⁶ per ml media in a volume of 75 μl per well plus 25 μl 1 μg/ml recombinant human B-cell activating factor (BAFF/BLyS/TNFSF13B). Seeded cells were incubated at 37° C. in a humidified 5% CO₂ atmosphere for 24 hr. Drugs and/or solvents were added (20 μl) to a final volume of 120 μl. Following 2 hr treatment plates were removed from the incubator and cell lysis was achieved by the addition of 30 μl 5× lysis buffer followed by shaking on a plate shaker at 4° C. for 10 min. At the end of this incubation lysed cells were centrifuged at 800×g for 20 min at 4° C. and the lysate was assessed for P-IKKα levels by sandwich immuno-assay carried out in anti-rabbit antibody coated Mesoscale plates. Within an experiment, the results for each treatment were the mean of 2 replicate wells. For initial screening purposes, compounds were tested using an 8 point dilution curve (serial 1:3 dilutions). For each experiment, controls (containing MG132 and BAFF but no test drug) and a blank incubation (containing MG132 and BAFF and 10 μM ADS 125117, a test concentration known to give full inhibition) were run in parallel. The blank incubation value was subtracted from all control and sample values. To determine the IC₅₀ a sigmoidal curve was fitted to the plot of % inhibition of control P-IKKα levels versus Log₁₀ compound concentration.

Biological Assay C

Determination of Antiproliferative Activity on LP-1, L-363 and JJN-3 Cells

All compounds tested were dissolved in DMSO and further dilutions were made in culture medium. Final DMSO concentration was 0.3% (v/v) in cell proliferation assays. Viability was assessed using CellTiter-Glo cell viability assay kit (Promega). The human LP-1, L-363 and JJN-3 cells (DSMZ) were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 2 mM L-glutamine, and 10% fetal calf serum (PAA). Cells were routinely kept as suspension cells at 37° C. in a humidified 5% CO₂ atmosphere. Cells were passaged at a seeding density of 0.2×10⁶/ml twice a week. Cells were seeded in black tissue culture treated 96-well plates (Perkin Elmer). Densities used for plating ranged from 2,000 to 6,000 cells per well in a total volume of 75 μl medium. After twenty four hours, drugs and/or solvents were added (25 μl) to a final volume of 100 μl. Following 72 hr of treatment plates were removed from the incubator and allowed to equilibrate to room temperature for approx 10 min. 100 μl CellTiter-Glo reagent was added to each well that was then covered (Perkin Elmer Topseal) and shaken on plate shaker for 10 min. Luminescence was measured on a HTS Topcount (Perkin Elmer). Within an experiment, the results for each treatment were the mean of 2 replicate wells. For initial screening purposes, compounds were tested using a 9 point dilution curve (serial 1:3 dilutions). For each experiment, controls (containing no drug) and a blank incubation (containing cells read at the time of compound addition) were run in parallel. The blank value was subtracted from all control and sample values. For each sample, the mean value for cell growth (in relative light units) was expressed as a percentage of the mean value for cell growth of the control.

Data for the compounds of the invention in the above assays are provided in Table 9 (the values in Table 9 are averaged values over all measurements on all batches of a compound).

TABLE 9 Alpha- IKKα Screen Cellular JJN-3 L-363 LP-1 IC50 IC₅₀ EC₅₀ EC₅₀ EC₅₀ Compound (nM) (nM) (nM) (nM) (nM) 1 95 n.c. 8 4 19 2 7 n.c. 7 5 39 3 155 n.c. 133 56 147 4 150 n.c. 208 152 1188 5 74 n.c. 227 175 377 6 29 n.c. 62 31 69 7 26 n.c. 222 144 320 8 30 n.c. 119 80 158 9 69 n.c. 55 37 131 10 58 n.c. 22 10 20 11 21 n.c. 62 40 52 12 56 n.c. 38 42 76 13 29 n.c. 7 4 15 14 16 n.c. 631 1223 3975 15 144 n.c. 3220 2722 14431 16 34 n.c. 951 811 1797 17 189 n.c. 6724 8256 29005 18 10 n.c. 1192 1087 5026 19 3 n.c. 1014 1271 7620 20 2 n.c. 152 126 1124 21 95 n.c. 464 408 1004 22 37 n.c. 37 24 110 23 67 n.c. 442 368 1284 24 90 n.c. 135 118 219 25 82 n.c. 102 66 163 26 18 n.c. 101 63 114 27 26 n.c. 92 53 100 28 16 n.c. 408 402 4263 29 735 n.c. 1930 3082 3533 30 20 n.c. 2077 4760 11593 31 2 n.c. 634 1214 5739 32 379 n.c. 4345 5502 19632 33 3 n.c. 593 472 4118

Prophetic Composition Examples

“Active ingredient” (a.i.) as used throughout these examples relates to a compound of Group A, including any tautomer or stereoisomeric form thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt, or a solvate thereof; in particular to any one of the exemplified compounds.

Typical examples of recipes for the formulation of the invention are as follows:

1. Tablets

Active ingredient 5 to 50 mg Di-calcium phosphate 20 mg Lactose 30 mg Talcum 10 mg Magnesium stearate 5 mg Potato starch ad 200 mg

2. Suspension

An aqueous suspension is prepared for oral administration so that each milliliter contains 1 to 5 mg of active ingredient, 50 mg of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, 1 mg of sodium benzoate, 500 mg of sorbitol and water ad 1 ml.

3. Injectable

A parenteral composition is prepared by stirring 1.5% (weight/volume) of active ingredient in 0.9% NaCl solution or in 10% by volume propylene glycol in water.

4. Ointment

Active ingredient 5 to 1000 mg Stearyl alcohol 3 g Lanoline 5 g White petroleum 15 g Water ad 100 g

In this Example, active ingredient can be replaced with the same amount of any of the compounds according to the present invention, in particular by the same amount of any of the exemplified compounds. 

1. A compound selected from:

tautomers and stereoisomeric forms thereof, and the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts, and the solvates thereof.
 2. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as claimed in claim 1 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
 3. (canceled)
 4. A compound as claimed claim 1 for use in the prevention or treatment of cancer.
 5. A pharmaceutical composition as claimed in claim 2 for use in the prevention or treatment of cancer.
 6. A method of treating or preventing a cell proliferative disease in a warm-blooded animal which comprises administering to the said animal an effective amount of a compound as claimed claim
 1. 